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“You are not that naïve, so don’t pretend to be.”
My head flops to the mattress and my next words come out muffled. “This is a disaster.”
Thankfully, Hannah begins to realize just how much this is bothering me. “Listen,” she begins quietly, and I lift my head. “You only have a month left of school. Yes, this is a mortifying situation you’ve put yourself in, but you’re just going to have to push through it. He’ll eventually forget all about it.”
A bitter laugh leaves my throat. “Yeah, right.”
“He will, Lu,” she insists. “The man is hot as sin, so I’m sure he’s had other students crush on him before. You’re just another on the list. And even if he doesn’t, you don’t have to see him again after you graduate. Just keep your head down, and for God’s sake, if you have any more dreams about him, don’t write them down.”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “That’s a no-brainer.”
“Do whatever you need to do to keep off his radar.”
“God,” I sigh. “I miss you so much. I hate that we live so far apart. Why did Dad have to get a job three states away?”
“Because life is a bitch sometimes. Listen, I’ve got to go. Daniel is coming to pick me up to go to the movies.”
Daniel is Hannah’s on-again-off-again boyfriend.
“Fine,” I mumble. “Tell Daniel I said hi.”
“Will do. Love ya. And try not to let this ruin your life too much. There are so many ways it could have been worse.”
“Yeah,” I agree, even though I’m not mollified in the least by her statement. “Talk to you later.”
After we hang up, I drop my phone on the bed and let my face fall back to the mattress. Then I scream as loud as I can into the comforter.
Chapter 4
AUGUST
Friday evenings, this time of year, are always hectic. They aren’t as bad as football season, but baseball is the school’s second most popular sport. Our team has been the champions in our district for five years running, and this year, so far, it looks like we’ll be keeping our streak.
Because the games cause a lot of hype, the school board requires at least five staff members to be present. Unfortunately, it was my turn to volunteer for today’s game. We’re up by seven points in the last inning. Bennett High doesn’t stand a chance of a comeback. The cheers on our side of the field and the usual quietness on the other side indicates both teams know it.
I walk the sidelines of the field, scanning the crowd to make sure everyone is behaving. Thankfully, there haven’t been any issues so far. That could easily change though.
A loud whack sounds, and I watch as the ball sails through the air. It looks like a possible home run, but Mack, one of our outfielders, jumps and barely manages to catch it before it crosses the fence. The crowd goes wild.
The rest of the game goes by quickly. Once it’s over, both teams line up so they can clap hands with each other as they pass by. Afterward, the coach of the other team talks quietly to his players while our team cheers.
Twenty minutes pass before the crowd starts to disperse. Meaning I can finally go the fuck home. Students get in their cars and drive off to do whatever teens do after games nowadays, and parents go on about their merry way.
With only a few cars belonging to the coach and the team players left in the parking lot, I head toward the school to pick up a folder I left in my classroom earlier today. I’d leave it for tomorrow but it’s the weekend, and I need it before Monday.
I can hear the boys in the locker room as I pass by the door, cheering and ribbing each other. It reminds me of my days when I played football. At that age, there’s no better high than when you kick the ass of the opposing team.
I’m just about to round the corner when I come to a halt, hearing voices.
“Stop! Get your hands off me.”
I’d know that voice just about anywhere. It’s shamefully starred in quite a few of my dreams lately, along with the delectable body it belongs to.
The hair on the back of my neck prickles at her tearful tone.
“I’m tired of you denying me your cunt. I’m taking—”
His words are cut off when I turn the corner and charge toward them. Aaron Mathers, still dressed in his baseball uniform, has Luna pinned against a set of lockers, her face smashed against the metal. Seeing his hand shoved down her pants while the other works on the button of her jeans has my vision going red.
